Trailer-mounted proppant delivery system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and process for delivering proppant to a well site has a trailer with a bed thereon and at least one track of rollers extending in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the trailer. The track of rollers extend substantially for an entire length of the bed of the trailer. At least one proppant container is translatably positioned on the track of rollers. The proppant container is movable along the array of rollers from one end of the bed to an opposite end of the bed. A bin can be removably positioned below the bed of the trailer in a position rearward of the front end of the trailer and forward of a rear end of the trailer so as to allow the proppant container to discharge into the bin. A conveyor is cooperative with the bin so as to move proppant from the bin to a location at the well site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation which claims priority to andthe benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/152,744, filed on May 12,2016, and titled “Trailer-Mounted Proppant Delivery System,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/175,340, filed on Feb. 7,2014, and titled “Trailer-Mounted Proppant Delivery System,” now U.S.Pat. No. 9,421,899, issued Aug. 23, 216, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 15/152,744 is alsoa continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/628,702, filed onSep. 27, 2012, and titled “Proppant Discharge System and a Container forUse in Such a Proppant Discharge System,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/555,635, filed onJul. 23, 2012, and titled “Proppant Discharge System Having a Containerand the Process for Providing Proppant to a Well Site,” all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the delivery of proppant to a wellsite. More particularly, the present invention relates to proppantcontainers and techniques for causing the proppant containers todischarge proppant therein onto a conveyor, or other means, fortransport to the well site. The present invention also relates to atruck trailer that is suitable for allowing loads thereon to betranslatably moved along the length of the trailer.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractions in a rock layercaused by the presence of pressurized fluid. Hydraulic fractures mayform naturally, in the case of veins or dikes, or may be man-made inorder to release petroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas, or othersubstances for extraction. Fracturing is done from a wellbore drilledinto reservoir rock formations. The energy from the injection of ahighly-pressurized fracking fluid creates new channels in the rock whichcan increase the extraction rates and ultimate recovery of fossil fuels.The fracture width is typically maintained after the injection byintroducing a proppant into the injected fluid. Proppant is a material,such as grains of sand, ceramic, or other particulates, that prevent thefractures from closing when the injection is stopped.

With the rise of hydraulic fracturing over the past decade, there is asteep climb in proppant demand. Global supplies are currently tight. Thenumber of proppant suppliers worldwide has increased since 2000 from ahandful to well over fifty sand, ceramic proppant and resin-coatproducers.

By the far the dominant proppant is silica sand, made up of ancientweathered quartz, the most common mineral in the Earth's continentalcrust. Unlike common sand, which often feels gritty when rubbed betweenthe fingers, sand used as a proppant tends to roll to the touch as aresult of its round, spherical shape and tightly-graded particledistribution. Sand quality is a function of both deposit and processing.Grain size is critical, as any given proppant must reliably fall withincertain mesh ranges, subject to downhole conditions and completiondesign. Generally, coarser proppant allows the higher flow capacity dueto the larger pore spaces between grains. However, it may break down orcrush more readily under stress due to the relatively fewergrain-to-grain contact points to bear the stress often incurred in deepoil- and gas-bearing formations.

Typically, in any hydraulic fracturing operation, a large amount of suchproppant is required. Typically, it has been difficult to effectivelystore the proppant at the fracturing sites. Additionally, it has beenfound to be rather difficult to effectively transport the proppant tothe desired location. Often, proppant is hauled to the desired locationson the back of trucks and is dumped onsite. Under such circumstances,the proppant is often exposed to adverse weather conditions. This willeffectively degrade the quality of the proppant during its storage.Additionally, the maintenance of proppant in containers at the hydraulicfracturing site requires a large capital investment in storagefacilities. Typically, the unloading of such storage facilities iscarried out on a facility-by-facility basis. As such, there is a need tobe able to effectively transport the proppant to and store the proppantin a desired location adjacent to the hydraulic fracturing location.

In the past, there have been various patent applications publicationsthat have been published and patents issued by the present inventor inrelation to containers for the transport of proppant. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 8,505,780, issued on Aug. 13, 2013 to the present inventor,describes a proppant storage vessel that has a first container with aninterior volume and a second container supported in spaced relationabove the first container. The first container has a bottom hatchaffixed to a bottom wall thereof. The bottom hatch is movable between anopen position and a closed position. The first container has an openingat a top wall thereof. The second container has bottom hatch formed on abottom wall thereof. The bottom hatch of the second container is alignedwith the opening of the first container such that a proppant in thesecond container can flow through the hatch thereof into the interiorvolume of the first container. Each of the containers includes first,second, third and fourth inclined surfaces positioned in the interiorvolume and extending from the respective side walls and end wallsthereof toward the bottom hatch.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0164112, published on Jun. 27, 2013 tothe present inventor, describes a system of delivering and storingproppant for use at a well site and container for such proppant. Themethod includes the step of transporting a load of proppant in a vesselto a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel intoa container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading theproppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, andtransporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to wellsite. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved inproximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto atilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is dischargedthrough a flow gate of a container into a hopper.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0161211, published on Jun. 27, 2013 topresent inventor, describes a proppant storage vessel that has a firstcontainer with an interior volume and a second container supported inspaced relationship above the first container. The first container has abottom hatch affixed to a bottom wall thereof. The bottom hatch ismovable between an open position and a closed position. The secondcontainer has bottom hatch formed on a bottom wall thereof. The bottomhatch of the second container is aligned with the opening of the firstcontainer such that a proppant in the second container can flow throughthe hatch thereof into the interior volume of the first container.

A variety of designs patents have issued relating to containers for thetransport and storage of proppant. For example, U.S. Design Pat. Nos.688,349, 688,350 and 688,351, issued on Aug. 20, 2013 to the presentinventor, all describe various designs of proppant vessels.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D688,722, issued on Aug. 27, 2013 to the presentinventor, also describes a design of a proppant vessel.

In the past, various patents have also issued relating to containertrailers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,768, issued on Sep. 17, 1985to Walker et al., describes a container trailer having a verticallymovable roller tray with parallel rollers thereon which, when tangent tothe roll plane, allow the container to be moved onto or off of thetrailer. A vertically movable caster tray of the trailer has fixedcaster wheels thereon with their axes of rotation intersecting avertical axis near the center of the trailer. When the wheels providesole support for the container at the roll plane, the container may berotated about the vertical axis to any desired position.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,896, issued on Sep. 5, 2006 to H. Cox, describes ashipping container handling system that includes a plurality of poweredjacks each of which includes upper and lower container attachmentmembers and are selectively engageable with upper and lower corner lockcastings of the containers. Each attachment member is carried by a guidesleeve slideably mounted relative to a vertical standard with an upperguide sleeve being drivingly engaged with a power driven member suchthat, with the attachment members engaged with the corner locks of thecontainer, the simultaneous activation of four jacks allows theelevation and/or lowering of a shipping container relative to a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,829 issued on Nov. 14, 2006 to Quenzi et al.,provides a cargo trailer that includes a frame, at least two axlesmounted to the frame, and a deck. The axles have wheels at opposite endsof the axles for movably supporting the frame above the earth. The deckis pivotally mounted to the frame and is pivotable about a first axisrelative to the frame and a second axis relative to the frame via atleast two supports.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,933, issued on Jan. 11, 2011 to Welch et al.,discloses a container trailer that has a frame positionable as a singleunit about a container such that the frame can be attached to thecontainer in four regions of the container so as to lift the container.The trailer frame can be positioned about the container by laterallyexpanding and retracting, pivoting about a horizontal axis, and pivotingabout a vertical axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,958, issued on Sep. 28, 2010 to Garcia et al.,teaches a versatile trailer deck and to a method for moving cargo ontosuch a trailer deck. The trailer deck can have first and second movingapparatus attached to a deck member. The first moving apparatus isadapted to move cargo between the back end of the deck member and thefront end of the deck member. The second moving apparatus is adapted torotate cargo from one orientation on the deck member to a secondorientation on the deck member. A plurality of rollers are supported onthe pivotable deck.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,675, issued on May 31, 2011 to Quenzi et al., showsa cargo carrier for movably supporting cargo. The cargo carrier has aframe configured to support the cargo and at least two wheels at eachside of the frame. Each of the wheels is rotatably mounted to arespective support arm. The support arms are pivotally mounted torespective sides of the frame and are pivotable relative to the frame toadjust at least one of a height and tilt of the frame relative to asupport surface. The cargo carrier can include a deck that is movablymounted to the frame and is longitudinally movable along the frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,193, issued on May 22, 2012 to Gaudet et al.,provides a trailer for transporting freight containers. This trailer hasa frame having a front frame section which is adapted to be coupled to asuitable road vehicle. A pair of displaceable horizontal side beams aresecured to the front frame section and are provided with a hingeablerear gate formed by a pair of hinge arms. Container lifting posts aresecured to opposed ends of the front frame section and the hinge armsfor removable connection to a container positioned between the sidebeams to lift and lower the container therebetween.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,278, issued on Nov. 20, 2012 to Simmons et al.,provides a modular interchangeable cargo deck which is configured to beremovably and interchangeably attached to a trailer. The deck unit caninclude a plurality of moving apparatus for moving cargo in a lengthwisedirection relative to the deck units and for moving cargo in a verticaldirection relative to the deck unit.

In these prior art references, it is quite clear that none of thetrailers are adapted for the use in association with delivering proppantto a well site. The complication with such trailers involves theconfiguration of the proppant storage containers and also the weight ofthe proppant that is contained within such containers. None of the priorart references are particularly adaptable for allowing the discharge ofproppant from a container to a location below the bed of the trailer.Additionally, and furthermore, none of the prior art references disclosea technique whereby the trailer can be relatively easily loaded and/orunloaded through the use of simple lifting mechanisms and/or forklifts.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D688,597, issued on Aug. 27, 2013 to the presentinventor, shows a trailer for proppant containers. The trailer has aunique external appearance and is suitable for supporting a container ofproppant in a fixed position on a top surface of the trailer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus andprocess for proppant to a well site which conveniently and easily allowsthe proppant to be delivered.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand process for the delivery of proppant to a well site which allows theproppant containers to be easily placed and removed from the bed of atrailer with simple lifting mechanisms and/or forklifts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand process for the delivery of proppant to a well site which minimizesthe number of movable components associated with the delivery ofproppant.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and process for the delivery of proppant to a well site whichcan be easily moved along a roadway or at the well site so as to belocated in a desired position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand process for the delivery of proppant to a well site that is easy touse, relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the attached specification andappended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for delivering proppant to a wellsite. The apparatus of the present invention includes a trailer with abed thereon and at least one track of rollers that extend in parallelrelationship to the longitudinal axis of the bed of the trailer. Thetrailer has wheels connected thereto so as to allow the trailer to movealong an underlying surface. The track of rollers extends substantiallyfor an entire length of the bed of the trailer.

In the present invention, at least one proppant container istranslatably positioned on the track of rollers. The proppant containeris movable along the track of rollers from one end of the bed to anopposite end of the bed. A conveying means serves to receive proppantfrom the proppant container in a position below the bed of the trailer.The conveying means includes a bin positioned below the bed of thetrailer in a position rearward of the front end of the trailer andforward of a rear end of the trailer. The conveying means furtherincludes a conveyor cooperative with the bin so as to move proppant fromthe bin to another location. The proppant is discharged from theproppant container through the bed of the trailer and into the bin.

The track of rollers includes a first track of rollers extendinglongitudinally along the bed of the trailer and a second track ofrollers extending longitudinally along the bed of the trailer. Thesecond track of rollers is in spaced parallel relationship to the firsttrack of rollers. A plurality of proppant containers are arranged inend-to-end relationship along the bed of the trailer. The proppantcontainer can include a container body and an outlet opening formed at abottom of the container body. The outlet opening is movable between aclosed position and an open position so as to allow proppant to bedischarged from the interior volume of the container body.

The present invention is also a process for delivering proppant to awell site. The process of the present invention includes the steps of:(1) forming a trailer having at least one track of rollers extendinglongitudinally along a bed of the trailer; (2) placing a first proppantcontainer onto the track of rollers adjacent one end of the bed of thetrailer; (3) moving the first proppant container along the track ofrollers to a position away from one end of the bed of the trailer; (4)discharging proppant from the first proppant container at the positionaway from the one end of the bed of the trailer; and (5) conveying thedischarge proppant to a location at the well site.

In the process of the present invention, the step of moving includesplacing a second proppant container onto the track of rollers adjacentthe one end of the bed of the trailer such that the second proppantcontainer bears against the first proppant container so as to cause thefirst proppant container to translate along the track of rollers. Thestep of moving includes placing a plurality of proppant containers ontothe track of rollers so as to urge the first container to the positionfor the step of discharging. The discharged proppant container is movedalong the track of rollers to a position adjacent an opposite end of thebed of the trailer. This discharged proppant container can be removedfrom the bed of the trailer.

The step of conveying includes the steps of placing a bin below the bedof the trailer at a location away from the one end of the bed of thetrailer such that the proppant can discharge into the bin, and conveyingthe proppant from the bin to the location at the well site. The step offorming a trailer includes the step of affixing a pair of tracks ofrollers onto the bed of the trailer in which the tracks of rollers arein parallel relationship to each other and extend substantially for anentire length of the bed of the trailer. The first proppant containerincludes an openable discharge outlet. The process of the presentinvention includes opening the discharge outlet when the first proppantcontainer is moved to the position away from the one end of the bed ofthe trailer.

The foregoing Section is intended to describe, in particularity, thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood thatmodifications to this preferred embodiment can be made within the scopeof the present invention. As such, this Section should not to beconstrued, in any way, as limiting of the scope of the presentinvention. The present invention should only be limited by the followingclaims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the apparatus for thedelivering of proppant in accordance with the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the trailer as used in the apparatus ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the trailer as used in theapparatus of the present invention in an unloaded condition.

FIG. 4 shows an initial step in the process of the present invention inwhich a single proppant storage container is loaded onto the end of thetrailer.

FIG. 5 shows a further step in the process of the present invention inwhich an empty proppant container has been removed from the forward endthe trailer.

FIG. 6 shows a further step in the process of the present invention inwhich the discharged proppant container is moved forward along thetrailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the apparatus 10 in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes atrailer 12 having a plurality of proppant storage containers 14, 16, 18,20 and 22 positioned on the bed 24 of the trailer 12. The trailer 12 hasa structural framework 26 secured to the bed 24 of the trailer 12 so asto enhance the structural integrity of the trailer 12. A pair of wheels28 and 30 are illustrated as supporting the bed 24 of the trailer 12adjacent the rear end 32 of the trailer 12. A track of rollers 34 ispositioned on the bed 24 of the trailer 12. Each of the containers 14,16, 18, 20 and 22 is supported by the track of rollers 34.

In FIG. 1, each of the containers 14, 16, and 18 are fully loaded withthe proppant material. Container 14 is located at the end 32 of thetrailer 12. The container 16 is located adjacent to the end of thecontainer 14 opposite the end 32 of the trailer 12. Similarly, thecontainer 18 is positioned against the end of the container 16 andgenerally located at the center of the trailer 12. Container 20 isillustrated as being partially filled with proppant material. Container20 includes a discharge outlet 36 located at the bottom thereof. Each ofthe containers 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 will have a discharge outlet 36.The discharge outlet 36 is particularly configured so as to be openableso as to allow for the discharge of proppant from the interior of thecontainer through the bottom of the container. Container 22 is locatedat the forward end 38 of the trailer 12. Container 22 is illustrated asbeing empty of proppant material. As such, container 22 represents adischarged container.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that there is a conveying means 40 positionedbelow the bed 24 of the trailer 12 in a location between the rearwardend 32 and the forward end 38. In particular, the conveying means 40will be located below the discharge outlet 36 of the container 20. Itcan be seen in FIG. 1, that the proppant material 42 has been dischargedinto a bin 44. A conveyor can be cooperative with the bin 44 so as tocause the proppant 42 to be transported to a desired location at thewell site. The conveyor can be in the nature of an auger that rotates soas to draw proppant material therealong to the desired location at thewell site. The bin 44 can also be in the nature of a blender that isused to blend the proppant material with other chemicals for delivery tothe well site.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the trailer 12. It can be seen that thetrailer 12 has a forward end 38 and a rearward end 32. Wheels 28, 30, 50and 52 are rotatably mounted to the trailer 12 so as to allow thetrailer 12 to move upon an underlying surface. The trailer 12 includesside beams 54 and 56. End beans 58 and 60 create a rectangularconfiguration of the bed 24 of the trailer 12. Cross members 62 extendbetween the side beams 54 and 56 so as to provide structural integrityof the trailer 12. Various other structural components can be added tothese components so as to further enhance the structural integrity ofthe trailer 12.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is a first track of rollers 34 thatextends longitudinally along the bed 24 of the trailer 12 andsubstantially for the entire length of the trailer 12. A second track ofrollers 64 is positioned in spaced parallel relationship to the firsttrack of rollers 34. The tracks of rollers 34 and 64 provide a surfaceupon which a proppant container can be placed. The rollers are suitablyconfigured so that the containers can be easily moved by simply pushingon one end the proppant container so that the proppant container cantranslate along the surfaces of the rollers of tracks 34 and 64.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is a trailer hitch 66 formed at theend 38. The trailer hitch 66 allows the trailer 12 to be connected to atowing vehicle. As such, the trailer 12 can be transported to anydesired location and properly manipulated at the well site so as to bein proper position such that the conveying means 40 (as shown in FIG. 1)can be placed in a proper position beneath the bed 24 of the trailer 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates an initial step in the process of the presentinvention. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the trailer 12 has the trackof rollers 34 exposed at the top surface thereof. As such, the track ofrollers 34 placed upon bed 24 can provide a surface for the receipt ofproppant containers thereon. The conveying means 40 is locatedrearwardly of the front end 38 of the trailer 12 and forward of the rearend 32 of the trailer. In particular, the conveying means 40 will be ina position so as to receive proppant from a container away from the end32.

In the process of the present invention, there is an adjustable dolly orfoot 70 that is located adjacent to the front end 38 of the trailer 12.This foot 70 can be suitably adjustable so that the track of rollers 34is in generally a horizontal orientation. As such, the trailer 12 can beadaptable to various surface inclinations or irregularities.

In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the proppant container 22 is loaded ontothe track of rollers 34 adjacent to the end 32. Container 22, as shownin FIG. 4, is filled with proppant material.

In FIG. 5, the proppant container 22 is positioned over the conveyingmeans 40. In order to allow this position to be obtained, anotherproppant container 20 can be positioned on the track of rollers 34 so asto urge the proppant container 22 away from the end 32 of the trailer12. Similarly, a proppant container 18 can be placed onto the end 32 ofthe trailer 12 so as to urge the containers 20 and 22 along the track ofrollers 34. Additionally, a proppant container 14 can be placed onto theend 32 of the trailer 12 to urge the containers 18, 20 and 22 furthertoward the forward end 38 of the trailer 12.

In the configuration show in FIG. 5, the filled containers 14, 18, 20and 22 are located on the track of rollers 34. The proppant container 22is located directly above the conveying means 40. As such, container 22is located in a proper position for discharge. The discharge opening 36of container 22 can be opened so as to discharge the proppant materialinto the bin 44 of the conveying means 40. As such, the proper dischargeof proppant material can be achieved by the present invention. In FIG.5, each of the proppant containers can be simply and easily loaded uponthe track of rollers 34 through the use of a forklift, or other simplelifting mechanism. As such, specialized equipment would not be necessaryso as to achieve the proper discharge of proppant material in the mannerdescribed hereinabove.

In FIG. 6, it can be seen that the proppant container 22 has been fullydischarged and is moved to a position adjacent to the end 38 of thetrailer 12. The container 20 is now located in a position above the bin44 and suitable for discharge. Bin 18 is moved forward so as to urge bin20 to its proper position. The container 16 is also moved forward alongthe track of rollers 34. Container 22 is now in a proper condition forremoval from the bed 24 of the trailer 12. Since the container 22 isempty, it can easily be removed from the bed 24. The containers 16, 18,20 and 22 can be moved forward in the manner described hereinabove bythe addition of a container 14 (as shown in FIG. 1) upon the track ofrollers 34 of trailer 12. As such, the bin 14 will assume the positionshown in FIG. 1. As a result, the trailer 12 is capable of handling upto five (5) proppant containers thereon.

In the method of the present invention, containers can be continuouslyloaded onto the trailer 12 for as long as proppant delivery is required.It is only necessary to discharge the container over the conveyingmeans, remove the empty container, and then move the remaining filledcontainers so that they will move the discharged container toward theend 38 of the trailer 12. This process can continue, as required, untilsuch time as all of the proppant is properly received at the location atthe well site.

The present invention is believed to be capable of allowing the movementof fully filled proppant containers easily by hand or by mechanicalmanipulation. For example, a forklift can be used so as to lift a filledproppant container, place the proppant container on the track ofrollers, and then urge the proppant container forward so as to push theremaining containers forward. The process of the present inventionfurther allows for the filling of the emptied or discharged containerduring the process. As such, if proppant material is available at thewell site, the discharged container can then be replaced onto the trackof rollers 34 at the end 32 of the trailer 12 for further continuousprocessing of proppant material. Ultimately, the discharged proppantcontainers can be transported by the trailer 12 to other locations forrefilling. The present invention provides a simple, easy, and convenientmanner of providing proper quantities of proppant material for thedesired fracturing operations.

The present application is a continuation which claims priority to andthe benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/152,744, filed on May 12,2016, and titled “Trailer-Mounted Proppant Delivery System,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/175,340, filed on Feb. 7,2014, and titled “Trailer-Mounted Proppant Delivery System,” now U.S.Pat. No. 9,421,899, issued Aug. 23, 216, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 15/152,744 is alsoa continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/628,702, filed onSep. 27, 2012, and titled “Proppant Discharge System and a Container forUse in Such a Proppant Discharge System,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/555,635, filed onJul. 23, 2012, and titled “Proppant Discharge System Having a Containerand the Process for Providing Proppant to a Well Site,” all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details ofthe illustrated construction or in the steps of the described process,can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should onlybe limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

That claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for delivering proppant to a well site,the apparatus comprising: a support structure having a bed for receivinga plurality of proppant containers, the support structure having one ormore cross members to provide structural support for the plurality ofproppant containers when positioned thereon; and a bin positioned belowone or more of the plurality of proppant containers and proximate asurface of the bed, the bin being at least partially bound by the crossmembers of the support structure, having one or more slanted sides tofunnel the proppant downward and away from the one or more of theplurality of proppant containers, and a flow path extending through thebin, the bin being rigidly coupled to the support structure, and the oneor more slanted sides of the bin extending downwardly and inwardlytoward the flow path and being positioned to allow flow of the proppantto be directed out of the bin via gravity feed.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising conveying means positioned proximate the binto receive proppant from one or more of the plurality of proppantcontainers when one or more of the plurality of proppant containers ispositioned to overlie the bin and for conveying the proppant receivedfrom the bin and away from one or more of the plurality of proppantcontainers.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the conveying meanscomprises one or more of an auger, a conveyor, and a chute.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising wheels coupled to the supportstructure to facilitate movement of the support structure, and whereinthe flow path of the bin is further positioned to substantially underliean outlet of an overlying proppant container when positioned on thesupport structure so that proppant readily flows by gravity feed fromthe proppant container outlet and into the bin to be directed away fromthe proppant container.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or moreof the plurality of proppant containers is positioned substantiallycentered over an inlet of the bin when positioned on the supportstructure and overlying the bin such that when proppant flows through anoutlet in a bottom of the container the proppant is funneled along theone or more slanted sides and toward the flow path.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the support structure comprises vertical supportmembers arranged proximate the bin, the vertical support members beingin a spaced apart relationship to form one or more openings to enablevisual access to the one or more slanted sides of the bin.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foot associated with thesupport structure, the foot being adjustable to change a horizontalorientation of the bed of the support structure.
 8. An apparatus fordelivering proppant to a well site, the apparatus comprising: a supportstructure having a bed for receiving a plurality of proppant containers,the support structure having one or more cross members to providestructural support for the plurality of proppant containers whenpositioned thereon; and a bin positioned below one or more of theplurality of proppant containers and proximate a surface of the bed, thebin being at least partially bound by the cross members of the supportstructure, having one or more slanted sides to funnel the proppantdownward and away from the one or more of the plurality of proppantcontainers, having an inlet positioned to substantially underlie anoutlet of one or more of the plurality of proppant containers whenpositioned on the support structure to overlie the bin, and beingrigidly coupled to the support structure, and the one or more slantedsides of the bin further extending downwardly and inwardly toward a flowpath positioned to allow flow of the proppant to be directed out of thebin via gravity feed.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprisingconveying means positioned proximate the bin to receive proppant fromone or more of the plurality of proppant containers when one or more ofthe plurality of proppant containers is positioned to overlie the binand for conveying the proppant received from the bin and away from theproppant container.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the conveyingmeans comprises one or more of an auger, a conveyor, and a chute. 11.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inlet is positioned proximate thebed of the support structure.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein oneor more of the plurality of proppant containers is positionedsubstantially centered over an inlet of the bin when positioned on thesupport structure and overlying the bin such that when proppant flowsthrough an outlet in a bottom of the container the proppant is funneledalong the one or more slanted sides and toward the flow path.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the support structure comprises verticalsupport members arranged proximate the bin, the vertical support membersbeing in a spaced apart relationship to form one or more openings toenable visual access to an exterior surface of the one or more slantedsides of the bin.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising afoot associated with the support structure, the foot being adjustable tochange a horizontal orientation of the bed of the support structure.